The Minister for Transport has today announced new legislation that will automatically disqualify operators from holding a road transport operators licence if they have serious convictions in a number of areas.
Publishing an independent report into the issuing of these licences by his Department, Noel Dempsey said the disqualifications would apply to offences including murder, manslaughter, serious assaults, drug-trafficking, person trafficking, money laundering, sexual offences and firearms offences.
The disqualification is to apply if the convictions are within the past five years when prosecuted on indictment, or two years when prosecuted summarily.
The Minister said the Department will be conducting checks, with the gardaí, to identify those licensees who are disqualified under this new legislation. Any licensee continuing to operate while disqualified risks receiving a maximum fine of €500,000 or three years in prison, or both.
Mr Dempsey also announced that on the foot of the Farrelly report, he would bring new legislation to strengthen the regulation surrounding the issuance of road transport operator licences.
The Farrelly report makes a number of recommendations to strengthen legislation in this area and proposals to improve procedural and processing matters within the Department of Transport.
“In addition to the recommendations contained in the Farrelly report a recent review of road transport licensing requirements has raised questions about Ireland’s compliance with EU law in this area," the Minister said.
"The Department sought and received legal advice on the issue and it is for this reason that I am today announcing new legislation for the sector. It is imperative that we maintain the highest possible standards in the road transport sector.”
The Department of Transport said it would engage with the road transport sector and other relevant bodies in September with a view to introducing the new regulation in mid November.